This means a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 202kW and 353Nm, a limited slip diff, big brakes and a six-speed manual gearbox, along with an upgraded interior, multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat nav and bespoke performance changes that allow you to tweak everything from shock tune to exhaust volume.

The i30 N fastback won’t be diluted, either, with Thomas confirming that the sub-brand will prioritise performance before anything else.

Expect the fastback to cost about the same as the $39,990 hatch, as well.

“The more N cars we can get, the better,” confirmed Thomas, who added that the fastback would combine well with the incoming eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s slated for release late next year.

Such is the popularity of the i30 N here and overseas, there’s currently a wait of up to six months for delivery, a situation that Thomas admits is “far from ideal”.

“We’ve done better than we predicted, and the factory is doing what it can to catch up. We didn’t think it would be anything like the numbers it’s done both here and overseas,” he said.

Meanwhile, the N ranks may be further bolstered by a car that’s not even confirmed for right-hand-drive production, let alone for Australia.

The Veloster N – which launches in the United States this month – is shorter, lower and lighter than the i30 N, but is currently only slated for left-hand-drive production.

“We’d like to push for it anyway,” confirmed Mr Thomas. “The Veloster buyer is a different proposition to a hatch buyer, and the N would be a great fit.”

There are ups and downs to the plan; while large RHD markets like the UK don’t take the entire Veloster range, the Veloster Turbo is already built in right-hook configuration with a multi-link suspension rear end.